Claims:We claim:

1. A yarn joining device that joins yarn ends together by using compressed air, comprising:
a body section that includes a supply flow channel to supply the compressed air; and
a yarn joining section that is attached to the body section and that joins the yarn ends together by applying twists to the yarn ends by injecting the compressed air supplied from the supply flow channel of the body section, wherein
the yarn joining section includes an injection position changing mechanism capable of changing an injection position of air.

2. The yarn joining device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the yarn joining section further includes
plural injection apertures from where the air can be injected; and
plural air flow channels each guiding the compressed air supplied from the supply flow channel to a corresponding one of the injection apertures, wherein
the injection position changing mechanism is an attaching section that allows attachment of the yarn joining section to the body section in plural attachment states, and
changing of the attachment state of the yarn joining section with respect to the body section by using the attaching section allows changing of the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel.
3. The yarn joining device as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising an untwisting section having an untwisting member that untwists the yarn ends as a pre-process before the yarn joining section joins the yarn ends, wherein
the untwisting section is fixed to the body section and the yarn joining section is attached to the body section via the untwisting section, and
changing of the attachment state of the yarn joining section with respect to the untwisting section by the using attaching section allows changing of the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel.

4. The yarn joining device as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising an untwisting section having an untwisting member that untwists the yarn ends as a pre-process before the yarn joining section joins the yarn ends, wherein
the yarn joining section is attached to the body section via the untwisting section, and
changing of the attachment state of the yarn joining section and the untwisting section with respect to the body section by the using attaching section allows changing of the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel.

5. The yarn joining device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein
the attaching section allows attachment of the yarn joining section to the body section in a first state and a second state,
the second state is where the yarn joining section in the first state is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to a yarn passage as a reference and attached to the body section, and
changing of the yarn joining section from the first state to the second state allows changing of the injection position of the air and causes a swirling direction of air in the yarn joining section to be reversed.

6. The yarn joining device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the air flow channels include a first air flow channel and a second air flow channel, wherein
the supply flow channel communicates to the first air flow channel in the first state, and
the supply flow channel communicates to the second air flow channel in the second state.

7. The yarn joining device as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein
the attaching section allows attachment of the yarn joining section to the body section in a first state and a second state,
the second state is where the yarn joining section in the first state is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to a yarn passage as a reference and attached to the body section, and
changing of the yarn joining section from the first state to the second state allows changing of the injection position of the air and causes an injection region of the air produced by in the yarn joining section to be changed.

8. A yarn winding device comprising:
the yarn joining device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 7;
a yarn supplying section that supplies the yarn; and
a winding section that winds the yarn. , Description:BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a yarn joining device and a yarn winding device.

2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional yarn joining device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-245069.
The yarn joining device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-245069 includes a twisting nozzle that applies twists to yarn ends to be joined, and a twisting air current supplying mechanism that supplies compressed air to the twisting nozzle so that the twisting nozzle can generate a twisting air current. The twisting air current supplying mechanism is capable of changing a direction in which the twisting air current is to be swirled (swirling direction) and/or capable of changing a region in which the twisting air current is to be generated (generation region). Thus, the yarn joining device is capable of generating a twisting air current, used for applying twists to the yarn ends, in a swirling direction and/or the generation region that depend on twisting conditions suitable for the yarn ends to be joined by controlling the twisting air current supplying mechanism.
The twisting air current supplying mechanism of the conventional yarn joining device includes a right twisting flow channel, a left twisting flow channel, a right twisting valve, and a left twisting valve. The conventional yarn joining device can handle right twists (S twists) and left twists (Z twists) by supplying compressed air to the right twisting flow channel or the left twisting flow channel by performing a switching control over the right twisting valve and the left twisting valve. If such a switching control is to be performed over the valves, in the manner disclosed in the conventional yarn joining device, the structure becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost necessarily increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn joining device and a yarn winding device capable of changing an injection position of air matching with twisting conditions with a simple structure.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn joining device that joins yarn ends together by using compressed air includes a body section that includes a supply flow channel to supply the compressed air; and a yarn joining section that is attached to the body section and that joins the yarn ends together by applying twists to the yarn ends by injecting the compressed air supplied from the supply flow channel of the body section. The yarn joining section includes an injection position changing mechanism capable of changing an injection position of air.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding device includes the above yarn joining device; a yarn supplying section that supplies the yarn; and a winding section that winds the yarn.
The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical and industrial significance of this invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a winding unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a yarn joining device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the yarn joining device shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a yarn joining section.
FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the yarn joining section.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a cross-sectional structure of the yarn joining section.
FIG. 7 is another perspective view showing a cross-sectional structure of the yarn joining section.
FIG. 8 is still another perspective view showing a cross-sectional structure of the yarn joining section.
FIG. 9 is still another perspective view showing a cross-sectional structure of the yarn joining section.
FIG. 10 is schematic diagram showing a structure of a nozzle section.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an unwinding section and the yarn joining section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or equivalent parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference symbol and repeated explanation thereof is omitted.
To begin with, a general configuration of a winding unit (yarn winding device) 1 equipped with a yarn joining device 10 according to the present embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. In this specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" shall refer to upstream and downstream with respect to the running direction of a yarn when winding the yarn.
As shown in FIG. 1, the winding unit 1 unwinds a yarn Y from a yarn supplying bobbin B and winds the yarn Y into a package P. The yarn supplying bobbin B is formed by a spinning machine in a previous stage, and, for example, is transported from the spinning machine by being set on a tray. An automatic winder, which is a textile machine, is formed by arranging plural such winding units 1 side-by-side.
In the winding unit 1, a bobbin supporting section (yarn supplying section) 2, a yarn unwinding assisting device 3, a pre-clearer 4, a tension applying device 5, a tension sensor 6, a lower-yarn catching device 7, the yarn joining device 10, a cutter 9, a yarn monitoring device 11, an upper-yarn catching device 12, and a winding device (winding section) 13 are arranged in this order from the upstream side (lower side in FIG. 1) along a running path of the yarn Y. Each of those components are attached to a unit main body 8
The bobbin supporting section 2 supports the yarn supplying bobbin B such that the yarn supplying bobbin B stands vertically and makes it possible to supply the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B. The yarn unwinding assisting device 3, by using a tubular member located above the yarn supplying bobbin B, controls a balloon of the yarn Y that is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B. The tension applying device 5 is a gate-type tensor that applies a predetermined tension to the running yarn Y with a pair of gates including a comb-shaped fixed gate and a comb-shaped movable gate that holds the yarn Y in a zigzag form. The tension sensor 6 measures an actual tension of the yarn Y after the tension is applied to the yarn Y by the tension applying device 5.
The pre-clearer 4 controls passing of a yarn defect, such as a yarn entanglement of a size larger than a predetermined size, with a pair of regulating members arranged at a predetermined interval across the running path of the yarn Y. The yarn monitoring device 11 detects presence of yarn defects, such as a slub, while the yarn Y is being wound. The cutter 9 cuts the yarn Y when the yarn monitoring device 11 detects a yarn defect. The yarn joining device 10 joins, by using compressed air, a yarn end of the yarn Y from the package P and a yarn end of the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B in a situation where the yarn Y is cut by the cutter 9 or the yarn Y breaks.
The lower-yarn catching device 7 is attached to the unit main body 8 so as to be rotatable with an axis ? as a center. A suction port 7a is arranged at a free end of the lower-yarn catching device 7. The suction port 7a can be rotated between a position above the yarn joining device 10 and a position below the pre-clearer 4. The suction port 7a is generally held in a stand-by state at the position below the pre-clearer 4. In a situation where the yarn Y is cut by the cutter 9, the yarn Y breaks, or the like, the lower-yarn catching device 7 sucks the yarn end of the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B with the suction port 7a, and thereafter rotates such that the suction port 7a is positioned at the position above the yarn joining device 10 and delivers the yarn Y from the yarn supplying bobbin B to the yarn joining device 10.
The upper-yarn catching device 12 is attached to the unit main body 8 so as to be rotatable with an axis ? as a center. A suction port 12a is arranged at a free end of the upper-yarn catching device 12. The suction port 12a can be rotated between a position below the yarn joining device 10 and a position corresponding to the winding device 13. In a situation where the yarn Y is cut by the cutter 9, the yarn Y breaks, or the like, the upper-yarn catching device 12 rotates such that the suction port 12a is positioned at the position corresponding to the winding device 13 and sucks the yarn end of the yarn Y from the package P with the suction port 12a, and thereafter rotates such that the suction port 12a is positioned at the position below the yarn joining device 10 and delivers the yarn Y from the package P to the yarn joining device 10.
The winding device 13 winds the yarn Y, which is unwound from the yarn supplying bobbin B, into the package P to form a fully-wound package P. The winding device 13 includes a winding drum 14 having a drum groove 14a, and a cradle 15 that rotatably supports the package P. The cradle 15 causes a surface of the package P to come in contact with a surface of the winding drum 14 at an appropriate pressure. The winding device 13 drives to rotate the winding drum 14 with a motor, to cause the package P to perform driven rotation, and winds the yarn Y into the package P while traversing the yarn Y within a predetermined width.
A controlling section 16, an inputting section 17, and a display section 18 are arranged in the unit main body 8. The controlling section 16 controls the operations of the various components of the winding unit 1. The inputting section 17 includes, for example, various operation buttons. An operator uses the inputting section 17 to perform setting of various kinds of values to the controlling section 16, and the like. The display section 18 displays information regarding an operation state and the like of the winding unit 1. The controlling section 16 transmits and receives various pieces of information about the winding operation between an upper-level controlling section of the automatic winder. The upper-level controlling section controls the controlling section 16 of each winding unit 1 thereby controlling the entire automatic winder.
A structure of the yarn joining device 10 will be explained below. In the following explanation, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the side toward the package P will be referred as an upper side, the side toward the yarn supplying bobbin B will be referred as a lower side, the side toward the running path of the yarn Y will be referred as a front side, and the opposite side of the front side will be referred as a back side. Moreover, the yarn Y on the side of the package P will be referred as an upper yarn YA, and the yarn Y on the side of the yarn supplying bobbin B will be referred as a lower yarn YB.
As shown in FIG. 2, the yarn joining device 10 includes an untwisting section 40, a yarn joining section (twisting section) 50, a pair of yarn shifting levers 81, and a pair of twist stopping levers 82. The untwisting section 40 includes a first untwisting pipe member (untwisting member) 41A and a second untwisting pipe member (untwisting member) 41B. The pair of the yarn shifting levers 81 rotates with the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B positioned therebetween. The pair of the twist stopping levers 82 rotates with the yarn joining section 50 positioned therebetween. The yarn joining device 10 is attached to the unit main body 8 via a main body frame (body section) 20 that supports various components thereof.
A first guide plate 21 is arranged on the upper side of the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B. A second guide plate 22 is arranged on the lower side of the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B. The first guide plate 21 is arranged on one side and the second guide plate 22 on the other side of the yarn joining section 50 with facing each other in an up-down direction. A guide groove 21A and a guide groove 21B are formed on the first guide plate 21. A guide groove 22A and a guide groove 22B are formed on the second guide plate 22. The guide groove 21A of the first guide plate 21 faces the guide groove 22A of the second guide plate 22 in the up-down direction. The guide groove 21B of the first guide plate 21 faces the guide groove 22B of the second guide plate 22 in the up-down direction.
The upper yarn YA, which is drawn by the yarn shifting levers 81 after being guided by the upper-yarn catching device 12, is introduced into the guide groove 21A and the guide groove 22A that face each other in the up-down direction. The lower yarn YB, which is drawn by the yarn shifting levers 81 after being guided by the lower-yarn catching device 7, is introduced into the guide groove 21B and the guide groove 22B that face each other in the up-down direction.
An upper-yarn holding section 60A is arranged on the upper side of the first guide plate 21, and a lower-yarn cutting section 70A is arranged on the lower side of the first guide plate 21. A lower-yarn holding section 60B is arranged on the lower side of the second guide plate 22, and an upper-yarn cutting section 70B is arranged on the upper side of the second guide plate 22. The upper-yarn holding section 60A holds the upper yarn YA that has been introduced into the guide groove 21A. The upper-yarn cutting section 70B cuts the upper yarn YA, which has been introduced into the guide groove 22A, in the state in which the upper yarn YA has been held by the upper-yarn holding section 60A. The lower-yarn holding section 60B holds the lower yarn YB that has been introduced into the guide groove 22B. The lower-yarn cutting section 70A cuts the lower yarn YB, which has been introduced into the guide groove 21B, in the state in which the lower yarn YB has been held by the lower-yarn holding section 60B.
The first untwisting pipe member 41A catches a yarn end of the upper yarn YA, which has been cut by the upper-yarn cutting section 70B, in the state in which the upper yarn YA has been held by the upper-yarn holding section 60A, and performs untwisting thereof. The second untwisting pipe member 41B catches a yarn end of the lower yarn YB, which has been cut by the lower-yarn cutting section 70A, in the state in which the lower yarn YB has been held by the lower-yarn holding section 60B, and performs untwisting thereof.
The yarn joining section 50 joins the yarn end of the upper yarn YA, which has been untwisted by the first untwisting pipe member 41A, and the yarn end of the lower yarn YB, which has been untwisted by the second untwisting pipe member 41B, by twisting the yarn end of the upper yarn YA and the yarn end of the lower yarn YB. When twisting the yarn ends in the yarn joining section 50, the upper yarn YA has been held by the upper-yarn holding section 60A and the lower yarn YB has been held by the lower-yarn holding section 60B. Then, the yarn end of the upper yarn YA is drawn out from the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the yarn end of the lower yarn YB is drawn out from the second untwisting pipe member 41B by the yarn shifting levers 81, and a tip end portion of the yarn end of the upper yarn YA and a tip end portion of the yarn end of the lower yarn YB are positioned close to the yarn joining section 50 by the twist stopping levers 82.
As shown in FIG. 3, a driving motor 23, which is a driving source for the yarn shifting levers 81 and the twist stopping levers 82, is attached to the main body frame 20. The driving motor 23 is, for example, a stepping motor. An arm 25 is fixed to a drive shaft 24 of the driving motor 23. A back end of a coupling member 26 is rotatably coupled to the arm 25. Base ends of the yarn shifting levers 81 are rotatably coupled to a front end of the coupling member 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the yarn shifting levers 81 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 27 fixed to the main body frame 20.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the twist stopping levers 82 are rotatably supported by the support shaft 27. The twist stopping levers 82 are biased toward both the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B by a torsion coil spring 28 that is rotatably attached to the support shaft 27. With this arrangement, the twist stopping levers 82 are rotated together with the yarn shifting levers 81, on the side of the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B. However, after a tip end portion of a not-shown stopper bolts screwed to base ends of the twist stopping levers 82 touches a part of the main body frame 20, only the yarn shifting levers 81 are rotated on the side of the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B.
A driving motor 31, which is a driving source for a first processing section 95 and a second processing section 97, is attached to the main body frame 20. The driving motor 31 is, for example, a stepping motor. The first processing section 95 includes the upper-yarn holding section 60A, the lower-yarn cutting section 70A, and a first transmitting mechanism 90A. The second processing section 97 includes the lower-yarn holding section 60B, the upper-yarn cutting section 70B, and a second transmitting mechanism 90B. The first processing section 95 is arranged on one side and the second processing section 97 is arranged on the other side of the yarn joining section 50. In other words, the yarn joining section 50 is arranged between the first processing section 95 and the second processing section 97.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first transmitting mechanism 90A includes a first arm 91A and a first coupling member 92A. The first transmitting mechanism 90A transmits driving force of a first driving shaft section 32A of the driving motor 31 to the upper-yarn holding section 60A and the lower-yarn cutting section 70A. The first arm 91A is fixed to the first driving shaft section 32A. A back end of the first coupling member 92A is rotatably coupled to the first arm 91A.
As shown in FIG. 2, the lower-yarn cutting section 70A has a fixed part 71 and a movable part 72. The fixed part 71 is firmly fixed to the first guide plate 21. The movable part 72 is rotatably supported by a not-shown support shaft that is fixed to the first guide plate 21. The front end of the first coupling member 92A is rotatably coupled to a not-shown arm that extends from a base end of the movable part 72. The upper-yarn holding section 60A includes a base member 61 and a sub member 62. In the upper-yarn holding section 60A, the upper yarn YA is held by the base member 61 and the sub member 62.
As shown in FIG. 3, the second transmitting mechanism 90B includes a second arm 91B and a second coupling member 92B. The second transmitting mechanism 90B transmits driving force of a second driving shaft section 32B of the driving motor 31 to the lower-yarn holding section 60B and the upper-yarn cutting section 70B. The second arm 91B is fixed to the second driving shaft section 32B. A back end of the second coupling member 92B is rotatably coupled to the second arm 91B.
As shown in FIG. 2, when seen from the front side, the structure of the upper-yarn cutting section 70B and the structure of the lower-yarn cutting section 70A with respect to the yarn joining section 50 at the center have a point symmetry with each other. Similarly, when seen from the front side, the structure of the lower-yarn holding section 60B and the structure of the upper-yarn holding section 60A with respect to the yarn joining section 50 at the center have a point symmetry with each other.
A structure of the yarn joining section 50 will be explained in detail below. As shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, the yarn joining section 50 includes a nozzle member 100 and a nozzle supporting member 120. The nozzle member 100 is detachably attached to the nozzle supporting member 120.
The nozzle member 100 is made of, for example, ceramic. The nozzle member 100 includes a yarn joining chamber 102. The yarn joining chamber 102 is a space where yarn joining is performed by the action of air for yarn joining (air). As shown in FIG. 10, the yarn joining chamber 102 includes a first yarn joining chamber 104 and a second yarn joining chamber 106.
The first yarn joining chamber 104 is arranged on one side of a central region in the up-down direction of the nozzle member 100, and has an opening at one side thereof. The second yarn joining chamber 106 is arranged on the other side of the central region in the up-down direction of the nozzle member 100, and has an opening at the other side thereof. The first yarn joining chamber 104 and the second yarn joining chamber 106, when seen from the other side of the up-down direction, are arranged at positions that are shifted from each other in the left-right direction. The first yarn joining chamber 104 and the second yarn joining chamber 106 communicate to each other in the central region in the up-down direction of the nozzle member 100.
The nozzle member 100 includes a first injection nozzle 108 that communicates to the first yarn joining chamber 104, a second injection nozzle 110 that communicates to the first yarn joining chamber 104, a third injection nozzle 112 that communicates to the second yarn joining chamber 106, and a fourth injection nozzle 114 that communicates to the second yarn joining chamber 106.
Air for yarn joining is injected in the first yarn joining chamber 104 from a first injection aperture 108A of the first injection nozzle 108 that opens in the first yarn joining chamber 104. Air for yarn joining is injected in the first yarn joining chamber 104 from a second injection aperture 110A of the second injection nozzle 110 that opens in the first yarn joining chamber 104. Air for yarn joining is injected in the second yarn joining chamber 106 from a third injection aperture 112A of the third injection nozzle 112 that opens in the second yarn joining chamber 106. Air for yarn joining is injected in the second yarn joining chamber 106 from a fourth injection aperture 114A of the fourth injection nozzle 114 that opens in the second yarn joining chamber 106. As shown in FIG. 10, the first injection aperture 108A and the second injection aperture 110A are located at the same height. Moreover, the third injection aperture 112A and the fourth injection aperture 114A are located at the same height.
The nozzle member 100 has a first flow channel 122A and a second flow channel 124A. The first flow channel 122A and the second flow channel 124A are independent of each other. The first flow channel 122A communicates to the first injection nozzle 108 and the third injection nozzle 112. The first flow channel 122A communicates to a later-explained first flow channel 122B and constitutes a first air flow channel 122 in combination with the first flow channel 122B. The second flow channel 124A communicates to the second injection nozzle 110 and the fourth injection nozzle 114. The second flow channel 124A communicates to a later-explained second flow channel 124B and constitutes a second air flow channel 124 in combination with the second flow channel 124B.
The nozzle supporting member 120 has a substantially cuboidal shape. The nozzle supporting member 120 is formed of, for example, metal such as aluminum, or resin. An accommodating section 121 that accommodates the nozzle member 100 is formed in the nozzle supporting member 120. The nozzle supporting member 120 has a first surface 120A that is a front surface, and a second surface 120B that is a back surface facing the first surface 120A.
The nozzle supporting member 120 has the first flow channel 122B and the second flow channel 124B. The first flow channel 122B and the second flow channel 124B are independent of each other. The first flow channel 122B communicates to the first flow channel 122A whereby the first flow channel 122B communicates to the first injection nozzle 108 and the third injection nozzle 112. The first flow channel 122B communicates to a first introduction port 128. The first introduction port 128 opens in the second surface 120B of the nozzle supporting member 120. A later-explained supply nozzle 42 is inserted in the first introduction port 128 and compressed air is supplied from the supply nozzle 42 to the first introduction port 128. The compressed air introduced from the first introduction port 128 is guided to the first injection nozzle 108 and the third injection nozzle 112 via the first air flow channel 122, which is constituted by the first flow channel 122B and the first flow channel 122A, and the compressed air is injected from the first injection nozzle 108 and the third injection nozzle 112 as the air for yarn joining.
The second flow channel 124B communicates to the second flow channel 124A, whereby the second flow channel 124B communicates to the second injection nozzle 110 and the fourth injection nozzle 114. Moreover, the second flow channel 124B communicates to a second introduction port 130. The second introduction port 130 opens in the second surface 120B of the nozzle supporting member 120. The later-explained supply nozzle 42 is inserted in the second introduction port 130 and the compressed air is supplied from the supply nozzle 42 to the second introduction port 130. The first introduction port 128 and the second introduction port 130 are arranged at the same height and at predetermined distances in a longitudinal direction of the second surface 120B. The compressed air introduced from the second introduction port 130 is guided to the second injection nozzle 110 and the fourth injection nozzle 114 via the second air flow channel 124, which is constituted by the second flow channel 124B and the second flow channel 124A, and the compressed air is injected from the second injection nozzle 110 and the fourth injection nozzle 114 as the air for yarn joining.
The nozzle supporting member 120 has an attaching section (injection position changing mechanism) 132. The attaching section 132 is a part to attach the yarn joining section 50 to the untwisting section 40. The attaching section 132 enables attachment of the yarn joining section 50 to the untwisting section 40 in two states. Specifically, the first state of the attachment is where the yarn joining section 50 is attached to the untwisting section 40. The second state of the attachment is where the yarn joining section 50 in the first state is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to the yarn passage of yarn Y, which is also the front-back direction of the yarn joining device 10, as a reference. In the yarn joining section 50, an injection position at which the air for yarn joining is to be injected can be changed by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 to the untwisting section 40 by using the attaching section 132. The attaching section 132 includes a first attaching section 134 and a second attaching section 136.
The first attaching section 134 is arranged, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on one surface 120C among the surfaces of the nozzle supporting member 120 in the up-down direction. Specifically, the first attaching section 134 is arranged at a position shifted from a center of the nozzle supporting member 120 toward one side in the left-right direction. A first screw aperture 134A is formed in the first attaching section 134.
The second attaching section 136 is arranged on the other surface 120D among the surfaces of the nozzle supporting member 120 in the up-down direction. Specifically, the second attaching section 136 is arranged at a position shifted from a center of the nozzle supporting member 120 toward the other side in the left-right direction. In other words, the first attaching section 134 and the second attaching section 136 have a point symmetry. A second screw aperture 136A is formed in the second attaching section 136.
The yarn joining section 50 having the above-explained structure is attached to the main body frame 20 via the untwisting section 40. As shown in FIG. 11, the untwisting section 40 includes the first untwisting pipe member 41A, the second untwisting pipe member 41B, the supply nozzle 42, a first screw aperture 44, and a second screw aperture 46. The first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B are, in a front surface 40S of the untwisting section 40, arranged at different heights, and are arranged at predetermined distances on either side of a center of the front surface 40S in the left-right direction. The supply nozzle 42 communicates to a supply flow channel 48 provided in the main body frame 20. The supply flow channel 48 is a channel for circulating the compressed air and it communicates to a not-shown air source. The supply flow channel 48 guides the compressed air to the supply nozzle 42. Accordingly, the supply nozzle 42 can supply the compressed air to the yarn joining section 50. The supply nozzle 42 projects forward from the front surface 40S of the untwisting section 40.
When attaching the yarn joining section 50 to the untwisting section 40, the yarn joining section 50 is arranged so that the second surface 120B of the nozzle supporting member 120 faces the front surface 40S of the untwisting section 40, and the yarn joining section 50 is arranged so that the supply nozzle 42 is inserted in the first introduction port 128 or the second introduction port 130. The attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40 needs to be changed depending on the kind of the yarn Y to be joined. Specifically, attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40 needs to be changed depending on whether the yarn Y to be joined is the yarn Y of the S twists (the right twists) or the yarn Y of the Z twists (the left twists). The yarn Y is twisted clockwise in the S twists, and the yarn Y is twisted counterclockwise in the Z twists. In other words, the direction of the twists is opposite in the S twists and the Z twists.
A situation where the yarn Y has the S twists will be explained below first. When the yarn Y has the S twists, the supply nozzle 42 is inserted in the first introduction port 128. After the supply nozzle 42 has been inserted in the first introduction port 128, the second screw aperture 136A of the second attaching section 136 is aligned to the first screw aperture 44 of the untwisting section 40, the first screw aperture 134A of the first attaching section 134 is aligned to the second screw aperture 46 of the untwisting section 40, and screws N are fixed to each of those aligned apertures. With this arrangement, when the yarn Y has the S twists, the yarn joining section 50 is attached to the untwisting section 40. In the present embodiment, this attachment state will be called the first state. In the first state, the supply flow channel 48 communicates to the first air flow channel 122.
Now, a situation where the yarn Y has the Z twists will be explained below. When the yarn Y has the Z twists, the supply nozzle 42 is inserted in the second introduction port 130. Specifically, when the yarn Y has the Z twists, the yarn joining section 50, which has been arranged in the first state, is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to the yarn passage of yarn Y, which is also the front-back direction of the yarn joining device 10, as a reference, and the supply nozzle 42 is inserted in the second introduction port 130. After the supply nozzle 42 has been inserted in the second introduction port 130, the first screw aperture 134A of the first attaching section 134 is aligned to the first screw aperture 44 of the untwisting section 40, the second screw aperture 136A of the second attaching section 136 is aligned to the second screw aperture 46 of the untwisting section 40, and screws N are fixed to each of those aligned apertures. With this arrangement, when the yarn Y has the Z twists, the yarn joining section 50 is attached to the untwisting section 40. In the present embodiment, this attachment state will be called the second state. In the second state, the supply flow channel 48 communicates to the second air flow channel 124.
Subsequently, the operations performed by the yarn joining device 10 will be explained. A situation where the yarn Y has the S twists will be explained below first. When the yarn Y having the S twists is to be joined in the yarn joining device 10, the yarn joining section 50 is attached to the untwisting section 40 in the first state. In this case, the compressed air is supplied to the first introduction port 128 of the yarn joining section 50. This compressed air is guided by the first air flow channel 122 of the nozzle supporting member 120 to the first injection nozzle 108 and the third injection nozzle 112 of the nozzle member 100, and the compressed air is injected as the air for yarn joining from the first injection aperture 108A and the third injection aperture 112A into the yarn joining chamber 102. Accordingly, a swirling air current in the clockwise direction is generated inside the yarn joining chamber 102. Because of this swirling air current, the yarn end of the upper yarn YA that has been untwisted by the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the yarn end of the lower yarn YB that has been untwisted by the second untwisting pipe member 41B are twisted together.
Now, a situation where the yarn Y has the Z twists will be explained below. When the yarn Y having the Z twists is to be joined in the yarn joining device 10, the yarn joining section 50 is attached to the untwisting section 40 in the second state. In this case, the compressed air is supplied to the second introduction port 130 of the yarn joining section 50. This compressed air is guided by the second air flow channel 124 of the nozzle supporting member 120 to the second injection nozzle 110 and the fourth injection nozzle 114 of the nozzle member 100, and the compressed air is injected as the air for yarn joining from the second injection aperture 110A and the fourth injection aperture 114A into the yarn joining chamber 102. Accordingly, a swirling air current in the counterclockwise direction, i.e., in a direction that is reverse of the direction in which the air current is generated in case of the S twists, is generated inside the yarn joining chamber 102. Because of this swirling air current, the yarn end of the upper yarn YA that has been untwisted by the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the yarn end of the lower yarn YB that has been untwisted by the second untwisting pipe member 41B are twisted together.
As explained above, in the yarn joining device 10 according to the present embodiment, the yarn joining section 50 includes the injection position changing mechanism that can change the injection position of the air for yarn joining. Accordingly, in the yarn joining section 50, by changing the injection position of the air for yarn joining with the injection position changing mechanism, it is possible to perform processing that is appropriate to the twisting conditions (for example, kind of the yarn (right twists and left twists) and the like) of the yarn. In this way, in the yarn joining device 10, because the injection position of the air for yarn joining in the yarn joining section 50 can be changed, it is not necessary to perform switching of a valve and the like that was necessary in the conventional device. Thus, in the yarn joining device 10, changing of the injection position of the air for yarn joining according to the twisting conditions can be realized with a simple structure.
According to the present embodiment, the yarn joining section 50 includes the plural injection apertures 108A, 110A, 112A, 114A for injecting the air for yarn joining, the first air flow channel 122 that guides the compressed air supplied from the supply nozzle 42 to the injection apertures 108A and 112A, and the second air flow channel 124 that guides the compressed air to the injection apertures 110A and 114A. The injection position changing mechanism corresponds to the attaching section 132 that enables attachment of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40 in plural states. In the yarn joining device 10, by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40 by using the attaching section 132, the destination of the compressed air received from the supply nozzle 42 is changed to the first air flow channel 122 or the second air flow channel 124. In this configuration, by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50, the destination of the compressed air received from the supply nozzle 42 is changed to the first air flow channel 122 or the second air flow channel 124. By doing so, because the injection aperture from which the air for yarn joining is injected is changed, the injection position of the air for yarn joining is changed. In this way, in the yarn joining device 10, the injection position of the air for yarn joining can be changed with a simple structure in which only the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 is changed.
In the present embodiment, the yarn joining device 10 includes, as a pre-process before joining the yarn ends in the yarn joining section 50, the untwisting section 40 having the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B that unwind the yarn ends. The yarn joining section 50 is attached to the main body frame 20 via the untwisting section 40. In the yarn joining device 10, by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40 by using the attaching section 132, the destination of the compressed air received from the supply nozzle 42 is changed. In this configuration, by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40, the injection position of the air for yarn joining can be changed.
In the present embodiment, the yarn joining section 50 can be attached to the untwisting section 40 in the first state or the second state by the attaching section 132. The second state is where the yarn joining section 50 in the first state is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to the yarn passage of yarn Y as a reference and attached to the untwisting section 40. In the yarn joining device 10, by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 from the first state to the second state, the injection position of the air for yarn joining can be changed and it causes a swirling direction of the air for yarn joining to be reversed. In this configuration, by performing a simple operation of changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 from the first state to the second state, the swirling direction of the air for yarn joining can be changed.
The present invention is not limited to the above-explained embodiment. For example, in the above-explained embodiment, the injection position changing mechanism that is used to change the injection position of the air for yarn joining has a form as the attaching section 132, however, the injection position changing mechanism is not limited to the attaching section 132. Moreover, in the above-explained embodiment, a structure has been explained in which the yarn joining section 50 is completely detachable from the untwisting section 40, however, for example, it is possible to have a structure in which the yarn joining section 50 can rotate in a state where the yarn joining section 50 and the untwisting section 40 are connected to each other via a predetermined mechanism. Moreover, for example, it is possible to have a structure in which the yarn joining section 50 is rotatably supported by the untwisting section 40, and the yarn joining section 50 is movable toward or away from the untwisting section 40 in a direction that is orthogonal to the yarn passage. Furthermore, it is possible to have a structure in which the supply nozzle 42 does not project forward from the front surface 40S of the untwisting section 40, however, in this case, it is sufficient that the yarn joining section 50 merely rotates.
In the above-explained embodiment, an example has been explained in which the swirling direction the air for yarn joining is changed by changing the injection position of the air for yarn joining. However, as an alternative, it is allowable to change an injection region in which the compressed air is to be injected in the yarn joining section 50 by changing the injection position of the air for yarn joining. If the number of the injection apertures that communicate to the first air flow channel 122 is different from the number of the injection apertures that communicate to the second air flow channel 124, the injection region can be changed by changing the injection position.
In the above-explained embodiment, an example has been explained in which the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40 that is fixed to the main body frame 20 is changed by using the attaching section 132. However, as an alternative, it is allowable to change the flow channel that is to receive the supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel by integrating the yarn joining section 50 and the untwisting section 40 with respect to the main body frame 20 and changing the attachment state thereof with respect to the main body frame 20. When this structure is adopted, when changing the untwisting section 40 and the yarn joining section 50 in response to a change of the lot, by performing the operation for attaching the yarn joining section 50 to the main body frame 20, it is possible to attach both the yarn joining section 50 and the untwisting section 40 to the main body frame 20. In other words, when this structure is adopted, it is possible to save the trouble of attaching the untwisting section 40 to the main body frame 20 and then attaching the yarn joining section 50 to the untwisting section 40, and then, changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section 50 with respect to the untwisting section 40. Moreover, when the attachment state of the untwisting section 40 with respect to the main body frame 20 is changed, the attachment states of the first untwisting pipe member 41A and the second untwisting pipe member 41B can be changed depending on the untwisting conditions of the yarn. Furthermore, plural air flow channels can be formed in the untwisting section 40.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a yarn joining device that joins yarn ends together by using compressed air includes a body section that includes a supply flow channel to supply the compressed air; and a yarn joining section (yarn twisting section) that is attached to the body section and that joins the yarn ends together by applying twists to the yarn ends by injecting the compressed air supplied from the supply flow channel of the body section. The yarn joining section includes an injection position changing mechanism capable of changing an injection position of air.
In the yarn joining device, the yarn joining section includes the injection position changing mechanism capable of changing an injection position of air. Accordingly, it is possible to perform processing that is appropriate to the twisting conditions (for example, kind of the yarn (right twists and left twists) and the like) of the yarn by changing the injection position of the air with the injection position changing mechanism in the yarn joining section. In this way, in the yarn joining device, because the injection position of the air can be changed in the yarn joining section, it is not necessary to perform switching of a valve and the like that was necessary in the conventional device. Thus, in the yarn joining device, changing of the injection position of the air according to the twisting conditions can be realized with a simple structure.
In the yarn joining device according to the above aspect, the yarn joining section further includes plural injection apertures from where the air can be injected; and plural air flow channels each guiding the compressed air supplied from the supply flow channel to a corresponding one of the injection apertures. The injection position changing mechanism is an attaching section that allows attachment of the yarn joining section to the body section in plural attachment states. Changing of the attachment state of the yarn joining section with respect to the body section by using the attaching section allows changing of the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel. In this structure, the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel can be changed by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section. Accordingly, because the injection apertures from where the air is to be injected are changed, the injection position of the air is changed. Thus, in the yarn joining device, the injection position of the air can be changed with a simple structure that involves changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section.
The yarn joining device according to the above aspect further includes an untwisting section having an untwisting member that untwists the yarn ends as a pre-process before the yarn joining section joins the yarn ends. The untwisting section is fixed to the body section and the yarn joining section is attached to the body section via the untwisting section. Changing of the attachment state of the yarn joining section with respect to the untwisting section by using the attaching section allows changing of the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel. In this structure, the injection position of the air can be changed by changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section with respect to the untwisting section.
The yarn joining device according to the above aspect further includes an untwisting section having an untwisting member that untwists the yarn ends as a pre-process before the yarn joining section joins the yarn ends. The yarn joining section is attached to the body section via the untwisting section. Changing of the attachment state of the yarn joining section and the untwisting section with respect to the body section by using the attaching section allows changing of the air flow channel to receive supply of the compressed air from the supply flow channel. In this structure, when changing the untwisting section and the yarn joining section in response to a change of the lot, by performing the operation for attaching the yarn joining section to the body section, it is possible to attach both the yarn joining section and the untwisting section to the body section. In other words, when this structure is adopted, it is possible to save the trouble of attaching the untwisting section to the body section and then attaching the yarn joining section to the untwisting section, and then, changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section with respect to the untwisting section.
In the yarn joining device according to the above aspect, the attaching section allows attachment of the yarn joining section to the body section in a first state and a second state. The second state is where the yarn joining section in the first state is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to a yarn passage as a reference and attached to the body section. Changing of the yarn joining section from the first state to the second state allows changing of the injection position of the air and causes a swirling direction of air in the yarn joining section to be reversed. In this structure, the swirling direction of the air in the yarn joining section can be changed with a simple structure that involves changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section to the first state or the second state. It is preferable that the air flow channels include a first air flow channel and a second air flow channel, the supply flow channel communicates to the first air flow channel in the first state, and the supply flow channel communicates to the second air flow channel in the second state. With this structure, the swirling direction of the air can be changed with a simple structure that involves causing the compressed air to flow through only one air flow channel, and allowing the other air flow channel to take rest by not causing the compressed air to flow through the other air flow channel.
In the yarn joining device according to the above aspect, the attaching section allows attachment of the yarn joining section to the body section in a first state and a second state. The second state is where the yarn joining section in the first state is rotated by 180 degrees with a direction that is orthogonal to a yarn passage as a reference and attached to the body section. Changing of the yarn joining section from the first state to the second state allows changing of the injection position of the air and causes an injection region of the air produced by in the yarn joining section to be changed. In this structure, the injection region of the air in the yarn joining section can be changed with a simple operation that involves changing the attachment state of the yarn joining section to the first state or the second state.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a yarn winding device includes the above yarn joining device; a yarn supplying section that supplies the yarn; and a winding section that winds the yarn.
According to the present invention, changing an injection position of air matching with the twisting conditions can be realized with a simple structure.
In the above explanation, the meaning of "plural" also includes "a predetermined number of".
Although the invention has been explained with respect to specific embodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.